Easy Overnight Oats – A Beautiful Mess

When it comes to healthy, on-the-go breakfasts, it’s hard to beat overnight oats. This make-ahead breakfast option is easy (the base is only two ingredients!) and fast to throw together for the next morning, or to meal prep for several days at once!

You can customize the flavor at the beginning, or just start with the plain base and add fresh toppings in the morning for a completely customizable dish. While there are delicious versions of oats that take longer to make (like our favorite baked oatmeal), this overnight oats recipe is a great option for those who like a simple morning or are pressed for time before work or school.

Looking for other oatmeal recipes? Check out:

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are an easy no-cook way to make individual servings of oatmeal ahead of time so you can just grab one out of the fridge as needed. Rather than cooking the oatmeal on the stove to soften the oats, you soak the raw oats in your milk of choice overnight (or for at least two hours).

You can eat the oats cold, or you can warm them up for a hot breakfast. It’s also easy to grab a jar of overnight oats on-the-go as you head out the door if you only have a short window for breakfast. There are endless overnight oat flavor combinations that you can try, so find the one that you like the best!

Are overnight oats healthy?

Because they have about 5 grams of protein per half cup, oats can be a good choice to help keep you satiated through the morning. They also contain 4 grams of fiber per cup and are a nutrient dense food as well, so it’s a solid choice to start your day with as long as you tolerate grains well.

Base Ingredients

If you’re short on groceries, you technically only need these two ingredients for your overnight oats base …

Milk of choice: You can use whatever milk (dairy or non-dairy milk like almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk) you choose for your overnight oats. If using dairy, you can also choose between low or full fat to customize your nutritional profile for your oats. If you are trying to cut down on sugar, choose an unsweetened non-dairy option.

Oats: For overnight oats, you’ll want to make sure you are choosing plain old-fashioned oats (rolled oats) rather than quick cook oats. Quick-cooking oats will end up too mushy, and conversely, make sure not to use steel cut oats as they require more cooking time and won’t soften properly in the milk alone.

But you can also add these to enhance your overnight oats base …

Nut butters (optional): Adding a few tablespoons of your favorite nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter adds nutty creaminess and extra protein.

Chia seeds (optional): Just a few tablespoons of chia seeds mixed in will add some fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as other micronutrients. They also add a pudding-like texture to the oats.

Greek yogurt (optional): You’ll add creaminess and additional protein by adding Greek yogurt to your oats.

Honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener (optional): Depending on your sugar preference, you can sweeten your overnight oats base with the sweetener of your choice, or you can also skip it at the beginning and just drizzle a little on top when you go to eat it in the morning.

Cinnamon (optional): A dash of cinnamon adds a warmth to the oats.

Vanilla extract (optional): Adding a little vanilla extract is a great way to add a note of vanilla sweetness.

Overnight Oat Topping Ideas:

• Chopped nuts: Adding chopped nuts brings a textured crunch and some additional protein to your dish.
• Granola: Granola adds a delicious crunch component to your oats.
• Fresh fruit: You can either add fresh fruit like bananas, mango, oranges, pineapple, or kiwi on top of your overnight oats before eating, or you can mix in some frozen fruit into the base to defrost in the fridge overnight.
• Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are all delicious toppings for overnight oats.
• Dried fruit: Like raisins or dried cranberries.
• Flaked coconut: Coconut flakes add a tropical flavor to your oats (and try toasted coconut to add more depth of flavor.
• Cacao powder: Mixing in some cacao powder to taste gives you an all over chocolatey-oat dish that’s perfect for banana or peanut butter additions.
• Jams or jelly: A spoonful of a fruity preserve adds a fruity sweetness.
• Chocolate chips or cacao nibs: Sprinkle in just a bit of chocolate flavor with mini chocolate chips or healthier cacao nibs.

How to make overnight oats:

1. Add base ingredients in an individual jar or small bowl: Use a larger bowl if making a multiple person serving or if you want to mix a larger batch and then pour into several jars before refrigerating.
2. Stir to combine: Especially if you are using chia seeds, make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight: Use jar lids if pouring into smaller jars or some tight plastic wrap if using a larger bowl with no lid and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before eating.
4. Stir again before serving: Give the oats one final stir before adding your toppings and serve!

Overnight oat recipe variations:

Verry Berry Oats

Overnight oats base of 2/3 cup oats and 2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1-2 tablespoons blueberry jam or 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries added to base ingredients
Fresh berries of choice

Make your base with your oats, milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and jam or frozen berries. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh berries before serving.

Banana Bread Oats

Overnight oats base of 2/3 cup oats and 2/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Fresh banana slices and chopped pecans

Make your base with your oats, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh bananas and chopped pecans before serving.

Chocolate Banana Oats

Overnight oats base of 2/3 cup oats and 2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon cacao powder
1/2 of a banana, mashed
Fresh banana slices and mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Make your base with your oats, milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, maple syrup, cacao powder, and mashed banana. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh bananas and chocolate chips or cacao nibs before serving.

Pumpkin Spice Oats

Overnight oats base of 2/3 cup oats and 2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
A small pinch of nutmeg
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Granola and chopped walnuts or pecans

Make your base with your oats, milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with granola and chopped walnuts or pecans before serving.

Tropical Oats

Overnight oats base of 2/3 cup oats and 2/3 cup milk (or sub full-fat coconut milk for the milk option)
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Sliced fresh mango and pineapple added on top before serving
Chopped almonds and flaked coconut (try toasted coconut!) added on top before serving

Make your base with your oats, full-fat coconut milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh mango, pineapple, chopped almonds, and flaked coconut before serving.

Tips for making the best overnight oats:

• Try them warm! If you prefer warm oats, warm your overnight mixture briefly in the microwave before adding your final toppings.
• Let the oats soak long enough: You really will need 2-4 hours minimum for the oats to soften, so give yourself enough time or the oats will still be chewy.
• Add crunch last: Anything that you want to stay crunchy, like nuts or granola, make sure to add last rather than in your jar overnight.
• Be mindful of your milk ratio: Usually a 1:1 ratio of oats to milk produces the best overnight oats, but if you find the mixture too runny for your taste, try less milk, and add a little more milk if too thick.
• Think ahead with fresh fruit: If you are making a batch of overnight oats for the week (they are usually good for up to five days), then you’ll want to keep fresh fruit out of your base. It may hold up for the first jar or two, but the longer it sits with the base mixture, it may start to go bad (try canned or frozen fruit instead).

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An easy and delicious way to make no-cook oatmeal for breakfast

Yield 1

Prep 5 minutes mins

Total 5 minutes mins

Instructions

• Very Berry Oats: Make your base with your oats, milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and jam or frozen berries. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh berries before serving.

• Banana Nut Bread Oats: Make your base with your oats, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh bananas and chopped pecans before serving.

• Chocolate Banana Oats: Make your base with your oats, milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, maple syrup, cacao powder, and mashed banana. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh bananas and chocolate chips or cacao nibs before serving.

• Pumpkin Spice Oats: Make your base with your oats, milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with granola and chopped walnuts or pecans before serving.

• Tropical Oats: Sliced fresh mango and pineapple added on top before serving. Chopped almonds and flaked coconut (try toasted coconut!) added on top before serving

Notes

Tips for making the best overnight oats:

• • Try them warm! If you prefer warm oats, warm your overnight mixture briefly in the microwave before adding your final toppings.

• • Let the oats soak long enough: You really will need 2-4 hours minimum for the oats to soften, so give yourself enough time or the oats will still be chewy.

• • Add crunch last: Anything that you want to stay crunchy, like nuts or granola, make sure to add last rather than in your jar overnight.

• • Be mindful of your milk ratio: Usually a 1:1 ratio of oats to milk produces the best overnight oats, but if you find the mixture too runny for your taste, try less milk, and add a little more milk if too thick.

• • Think ahead with fresh fruit: If you are making a batch of overnight oats for the week (they are usually good for up to five days), then you’ll want to keep fresh fruit out of your base. It may hold up for the first jar or two, but the longer it sits with the base mixture, it may start to go bad (try canned or frozen fruit instead).